Biography:
Jesse Guten is a guitarist/singer/songwriter and local Milwaukee gem. He performs an eccelitic mix of orignal songs and covers stemming from a variety of influences. Incorpating jam, bluegrass, rock 'n roll, classic country, hip-hop, and blues, Jesse comes from a family of musicans and has been playing and performing since the tender age of seven. Influnces vary from Led Zepplin and The Grateful Dead to Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie, from the sounds of streams flowing and camp fires crackeling in the dead of night to the hustle and bustle of city streets at high noon. A self-described analog outlaw of the digital frontier. ​Jesse's voice is said to be reminicent of James Taylor providing a crisp, beautiful tone.
Jesse has been in various bands throughout the years; his first was a ragtag group of 4th graders who never decided on a name. Their drummer played a set of suitcases and their bassist a washtub bass consisting of an old broom, a length of yarn and a box. Jesse, however, was already geared up with a Fender Telecaster and a strong voice which he styled after the Jackson 5. At that time he wrote and performed his first song "Unwanted" at school talent shows.
Throughout all the bands and all the years, Jesse has played and performed with his parents. This is a tradition that he carries wherever he goes. "My dad didn't just teach me how to sing" he says, "he taught me how to perform - how to command a crowd compassionately, to turn an accident into a discovery"
With the same Telecaster and a few hairs on his chin, Jesse cofounded the punk rock band Hillary's Victims at the age of 13. They wrote and recorded an album together, playing many bassment sh ows and at local venues including The Globe, a classic east side Milwaukee club, before it closed.
Through High School, he formed new friendships and developed a deep appreciation for roots music, classic rock and especially the Grateful Dead. Together with Andrew Leitheiser and Trevor Monroe, he foundedThe RoadLess Travelers in which he played lead guitar and sang both lead and harmonies. Trevor was a long time songwriting partner and hip hop artist that added a special twist to their shared love of classic rock influences. Andrew's bass style lent to Jesse's dedication to Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh's chemistry in the Jam Rock Style.
Time went on, and people went their seperate directions, still remaining friends. Meanwhile, Jesse kept writing songs. He took up residency at local venues like the Miramar Theatre and Crisp Pizza Bar, gaining notoriety for his unique songwriting style and variety of influences. Finally, Jesse and Andrew joined forces with drummer Mike Ekvall - formerly a member of the band Soup as well as countless other projects. As a threepiece, they formed the current incarnation known as DiaTribe. This band began by pushing the envelope of the Roadless style, with more intricate song structures and concise instrumentals. Now they are playing sets with consisting primarily of Jesse's most recently compositions and is described by him as more of an art project with vast potentials for performance than simply a 'band'. They have featured other vocalists, guitarists and wind instruments. With this foundation, he continues to take the luscious melodies and driving rhythms of his solo performance and craft them into dynamic, electrifying performances that captivate audiences hearts and minds, appealing to a greater sensory expience that people can relate to. They frequently play Fire on Water in downtown Milwaukee.
With a stage presence comanding as it is accesible, Jesse has the unique abilty to play to practically any crowd. From smaller, more intimate settings to larger stages with many faces, Jesse can adapt to any venue with ease. He will be sure to impress you with his oringal tunes, mind-blowing solos, slick licks, gorgeous voice, and overall catchy and personally connecting lyrical style.
What you need to know about Jesse
